GENEVA 

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday stressed that Ukraine must be actively involved in any peace agreement and that its rights must be fully respected amid concerns sparked by the US-Russia talks.


Following the urgent talks in Paris on Monday, Macron held a second emergency meeting on Ukraine in a bid to coordinate a European response and spoke to several leaders of the EU countries, as well as Canada, Iceland, and Norway, with most taking part via video conferencing.

"The position of France and of its partners is clear and united. We want a lasting and solid peace in Ukraine. We stand alongside Ukraine and will take all our responsibilities to ensure peace and security in Europe. This is France's fundamental interest, and I am its guarantor," he said in a post on X.


Nothing that the EU shares the objective of US President Donald Trump to put an end to the Ukraine war. However, he said, such an ending would require the involvement of Ukraine and should meet the European's security concerns.

"Our efforts for peace will continue in accordance with the following principles, in our own interest: Ukraine must always be involved and its rights respected," he said, adding: "Peace must be lasting and accompanied by robust and credible guarantees. The security concerns of Europeans must be taken into account."

He underlined that the EU is convinced of the need to increase its spending and defense and security capabilities for Europe and each of our countries.

"Decisions will be taken in the coming days and weeks," he underlined.